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The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC), and accentuated the need for better health and safety measures to protect both healthcare professionals and their patients. In this article, Francesca Ramadan provides an overview of IPC measures for community nurses, such as hand hygiene and personal protective equipment, along with the safe management of care equipment and the care environment.

Many patients in the community experience prolonged bedrest and are exposed to the risk of complications arising from inactivity, including the development of pressure injuries. Community nurses, with their wide-ranging expertise and position at the frontline of patient care, are well-equipped to make an impact on pressure injury prevalence. Francesca Ramadan explores evidence-based strategies for the assessment, prevention and treatment of pressure injuries, equipping the community practitioner with the necessary knowledge and guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's population is rapidly ageing, with conditions such as urinary incontinence, which are especially prevalent among older adults, expected to rise in prevalence as a result. Urinary incontinence is particularly common in older women; however, despite its profound impact on every aspect of women's health and wellbeing, it is often minimised by both individual patients and the wider healthcare system. Francesca Ramadan delves into the prevalence of and psychosocial effects and patient-related factors related to urinary incontinence in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the approaches for managing lymphoedema are straightforward and easily accessible, allowing individuals to take considerable charge of their care. As a result, nurses can play a vital role in lymphoedema treatment by equipping patients with crucial knowledge and offering practical assistance to foster self-management. Francesca Ramadan elaborates upon the aspects of patient education that the community nurse must promote and support to enable individuals with lymphoedema to take back control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 5 million people are now living with diabetes in the UK, with many receiving treatment and management in the community. With their unique and intimate insight into patients' lives, the community nurse is well-placed to offer support, education and advocacy to those who might be struggling to manage their condition. Francesca Ramadan explores the multiple ways in which a community nurse might facilitate a preventative, holistic and personalised approach to diabetes treatment and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostomy surgery is a life-changing intervention, with many significant and challenging lifestyle changes expected from the individual. The community nurse, with their wide-ranging scope of practice and intimate access to patients' lives, are well-placed to support individuals to manage their condition, especially in the case of a high-output stoma, a relatively common complication with potentially deadly consequences. The author outlines the practical interventions the community nurse can offer to the patient to optimise stomal output, including fluid restriction, dietary changes and support in self-care and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wherever they work, nurses have the potential to become leaders at any stage of their career. In older people’s nursing, which often takes place outside of the structure of the NHS, the pathways to, and opportunities for, leadership may seem less defined. But RCN professional lead for older people and dementia Sally Wilson says there are leadership opportunities for every nurse, at every level of practice, in every working environment. ‘You just need to find them,’ she says. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With their expertise and ability to leverage the therapeutic relationship, community nurses are well-placed to manage the complications and challenges associated with intermittent self-catheterisation. Francesca Ramadan provides an overview of the patient-, training- and environmentally-related barriers to intermittent self-catheterisation and of the ways in which these can be overcome by personalised, person-centred training and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which is caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lung that blocks airflow and eventually makes it difficult for the patient to breathe. As COPD is terminal, the primary goals of treatment are to control symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce exacerbations and mortality. Community nurses can play a vital role in maintaining patients' quality of life and daily functioning, but the ability to access further education in the domain of COPD treatment and allocate dedicated time to patient care is necessary to achieving good outcomes. Francesca Ramadan provides an overview of the mainstays of COPD care, as a foundation for further education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]